suffering--ten abject
years--have not sufficed to realize my promise; and now, at last, a
feeble ray of hope struggles into my sombre future--" He grasped the
notary's hand, looked wildly but earnestly into his eyes, and added, in
suppliant tones, "Oh, my friend, help me! help me in this last and
trying effort; do not prolong my torture; grant my prayer, and as long
as I live I will bless my benefactor, the savior of my child!"

The notary withdrew his hand as he answered, with some embarrassment,
"Yet, Monsieur De Vlierbeck, I cannot comprehend what all this has to do
with the loan of a thousand _francs_!"

De Vlierbeck thrust his rejected hand into his pocket as he replied,
"Yes, sir, it _is_ ridiculous, is it not, to fall so low and to see
one's happiness or misery depend on things about which other persons may
laugh? And yet, alas! so it is! The young gentleman of whom I spoke to
you is to dine with us to-morrow in company with his uncle,--the uncle
invited himself,--and we have absolutely _nothing to give them!_ Besides
this, my child needs some trifles to appear decently before the guests,
and it is probable that the civility will be returned by an invitation
from them. Our isolation cannot long conceal our want. Sacrifices of all
kinds have already been made to prevent our being overwhelmed with
mortification." As he uttered these last words he drew forth his hand
from his pocket with about two _francs_ in small change, which he held
exposed on his palm before the notary. "And now, behold," continued he,
with a bitter smile,--"behold every cent I have in the world; and
to-morrow rich people are to dine at my house! If my poverty is betrayed
by any thing, farewell to my child's prospects! For God's sake, my good
friend, be generous, and help me!"

"A thousand _francs_!" muttered the notary, shaking his head; "I can't
deceive my clients, sir. What pledge can you give to secure the loan?
You possess nothing which is not already mortgaged beyond its value."

"A thousand! five hundred! two hundred!" cried De Vlierbeck. "Lend me,
at least, _something_ to relieve me from this cruel difficulty!"

"I have no disposable funds," replied the notary, coldly. "In a
fortnight perhaps I may have some; but even then I could promise nothing
positively."

"Then, for the sake of friendship, I beseech you, lend me some money
yourself!"

"I could never expect that you would return what I might lend," said
the notary, contempt